North American Bird Search Box
This search box can be used to find bird species using bird's english, french or latin name, or to identify bird by its 4 letter Alpha Code
Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Red-tailed Hawk
4 Letter (english names) Alpha Code: RTHA (1)
Buse à queue rousse
Buteo jamaicensis
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Species: The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the largest members of Buteo family and the most common of the larger birds of prey. This hawk covers the largest amount of territory in North America. Recognized in the eastern regions by its dark brown mantle and usually a red-coloured tail. There are a number of sub-species. Better known among this group is the light coloured Krider's and the fully dark brown Harlan's, both sub-species more likely to be seen in the western areas of the continent.
Distinctions: The eastern adults have dark brown backs and wings, brown heads, white to light brown breast with a streaked ban across their breast. If seen perched from the back, one can see a light coloured "V" from the shoulders to the tail. Western sub-species may be completely dark brown with a dark red tail or light coloured body, even with a shade of pink, with or without a red tail. Tails on most have light Banding:, with a narrower white band at the tips.
Voice: Sharp extended cries, most often heard when the bird is in the air.
Nesting: Two to three white eggs with brown spots, one brood per year. Usually, builds large nest high in the crown of mature trees or in crevices of cliffs. Using branches, leaves and grasses as basic structure for the nest.
Life, Habitat and Pictures of North American Hawks
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19" 48.3cm | 49" 124.5cm | 2.4lb. 1.1kg | Accipitridae | Buteo jamaicensis |
North American Birds Videos
- Click here - Immature
- Click here - immature
North American Bird Calls
- Click here
- Click here
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
Distribution: Found along the edges of open forests and a common sight over open fields. Often seen perched in the lower section of a tree while watching for any movements below. Seen from Newfoundland and Labrador to Alaska, down into southern California, to the tip of Florida, into southern Central America and on the Caribbean Islands.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.